US President Donald Trump on Friday acknowledged that he has been unable to fulfill one of his central campaign promises of ending the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Despite earlier claims that the conflict could be resolved within 24 hours of his second-term inauguration, Trump described the war as “probably the most difficult” foreign policy challenge of his administration.
Acknowledging his failure to fulfill the campaign promise of ending the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours of his second-term inauguration, US President Donald Trump described the conflict as “probably the most difficult” foreign policy challenge of his administration.
Speaking during a congressional dinner at the newly renovated Rose Garden at the White House, Trump reflected on his administration’s record of international conflict resolution, taking credit for ending several longstanding wars. However, he admitted that, despite a strong personal relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, efforts to end the war in Ukraine have not succeeded.
“Nobody has done what we did in seven months, we stopped seven wars,” Trump said.” The war that I thought would probably be the easiest was the most difficult: that of Russia and Ukraine. I thought it would be easiest because of the relation with President Putin… It didn’t matter. It ended up being probably the most difficult.”
Trump also recounted the resolution of several other global conflicts during his presidency, stating that some had lasted over three decades.
“One of those wars had been going for 31 years, that was said to be unstoppable, and I got it done in about 2 hours.Another one was on for 35 years, and another one for 37 years,” he said.
During his 2024 campaign, Trump repeatedly promised to end the war in Ukraine within a day of returning to office. However, more than seven months into his second term, there has been little sign of a breakthrough.
Trump’s diplomatic effort at the Alaska Summit in August, a high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at finding common ground between Moscow and Kyiv,also ended without a breakthrough. While the president described the summit as “very productive,” no formal agreement was reached.